Enbridge received notice to proceed on Oct. 7
Enbridge Inc. has begun construction on the 122-mile natural gas pipeline expansion of the company’s East Tennessee Natural Gas (ETNG) system, set to pass through the Upper Cumberland and serve the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by serving the Kingston Fossil Plant.
According to Enbridge, it received the notice to proceed on Oct. 7. from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Here are 5 things you need to know about the timeline and the project:
1. Construction began Oct. 21 following a process that began in 2021 when the Tennessee Valley Authority filed its notice of Intent to build the 122-mile Pipeline stretching from Smith County to TVA’s Kingston power plant.
The pipeline will cross waterways over 400 times across Middle and East Tennessee and was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It will cut through Smith, Jackson, Putnam, Overton, Fentress, Morgan and Roane counties and already runs from Robertson County to Trousdale County.
The beginning – Early stage of construction began Oct. 20.
2. According to Enbridge, the purpose of the project is to provide natural gas to serve TVA’s natural gas replacement of the Kingston Fossil Plant.
“The scope includes the installation of approximately 122 miles of 30-inch pipeline looping the existing pipeline and one electric-powered compressor station. There will also be 80 acres of solar installed to offset the electrical usage of operations,” according to Enbridge.
Pictured – TVA Norris Dam and switching station, Tennessee. Courtesy of the Tennessee Valley Authority
3. The proposed route is located within the existing system’s right of way to “minimize impacts to landowners and the environment,” according to a release by Enbridge.
91% of the new route will parallel existing rights of way to minimize land and environmental impacts.
Lakes and rivers – proposed route looks to minimize impacts to landowners and the environment.
4. Clearing for the project will begin Nov. 1 on the project’s East Side.
Enbridge paid $4.8 million in property taxes across Tennessee for our pipelines and related facilities, such as terminals, storage facilities and pump/compressor stations. Enbridge paid $9.6 million in sales and use taxes, $1.7 million in franchise tax and $536,000 in corporate income tax across Tennessee. On a national scale, Enbridge paid $663.5 million in property tax, $432.4 million in corporate income tax, $97.7 million in sales and use taxes and $52.2 million in other taxes (including franchise tax and payroll taxes) across the U.S., for a total of $1.24 billion.
The beginning – Clearing for the project will begin Nov. 1.
5. The expected “Project in service” timeline is spring of 2027. Clearing for the west side of the project will begin in December of this year.
“Ridgeline has received all necessary regulatory certificates and permits. There have been many opportunities for public review and input during this multi-year regulatory review process. We continue to engage with local stakeholders to discuss and work with landowners,” according to Enbridge.
Image: East Tennessee Natural Gas
Featured photo via Freepik.
Copyright 2025 The Upper Cumberland Business Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Other stories you may want to check out:
